It's that time of the year again when Indians all over the world are anticipating 'Ganesh Chaturthi' ( The day when Lord Ganesha is said to be born). Bamboo sticks have been tied together by strong ropes, huge Mandaps have been erected, beautiful decorations adorn the places where Ganesha idols would soon recline to bless the devotees who go to him with generous offerings and prayers.
And that is when I was reminded yet again, of my trip to Mahalunge, during the rainy months around two years back. This time that year the residents were busy planning to move another step ahead in their resolve to be eco-friendly. The preparations
for the yearly 'Ganeshotsav' had begun. The pandal was being decorated with ‘forest’ as
the theme in the Zila Parishad’s school playground.The children were busy collecting materials for their pandal to make it look as real as possible.
“At a time when pollution is at its peak, we thought of
contributing our bit to save mother Earth. Moreover the sight of hands, legs,
heads floating after visarjan is saddening. You worship the lord and it looks as if you are dumping him after that. It
seems to be more like an insult. So we have decided to get an idol that would mingle with the water and soil without polluting”, said a resident.
The residents were
elated as the rains were also in plenty that time. Being an agriculture
oriented village, they felt that this was the best time to thank the Vighnaharta for listening to their prayers and removing all the ‘Vighnas’ that would have
proven to be detrimental to their crops and rendered them unemployed and
poverty- stricken. They even invited the forest officer of the Bhiwandi Taluka
to address them about pollution and ways by which they could contribute to
saving the planet.
I couldn't control my curiosity and I asked them how they were so sound about pollution, it's damaging effects and ways to control it. What I heard was enough for me to feel ashamed of the so-called 'sophisticated urban India.' Here was a village far away from the clutches of a materialistic city, practicing ways to make Earth a little more tolerable and here was I who had on my way to Mahalunge, seen so many artists lost in the detailing of Ganesh idols of plaster of Paris and other such non-biodegradable materials.
Don't you want to know what a kid told me? He said, " I had seen on TV that last year many fishes died because of Ganesh idols polluting the water. An uncle holding a mike had told that even small kids like me can help prevent that by telling about the harmful effects of Ganesha idols that are not Eco-friendly to our family's elders. I did just that and that's why this time we are bringing a Ganpati Bappa that wont kill any fishes!"
It is an amazing example of Altercasting where even a young boy is set in a social role by the media which told him how as a responsible citizen, he too is answerable to the problem of pollution that exists in the society. What made it even more better is the fact that I was able to learn something like this through a young boy.
“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.”- Mary Dunbar.
Couldn't agree more!
For many other examples to better understand Altercasting, you can go to this link- http://prezi.com/lwoz3nsm1fpf/altercasting-theory-of-communication/
- Divya Nambiar
